Lessons from Nakivubo fire
Feb 26, 2009
GOODS worth billion of shillings were lost on Wednesday morning, when the busy Nakivubo Park Yard market went up in flames. Thank God it happened at night, when most traders were away.
GOODS worth billion of shillings were lost on Wednesday morning, when the busy Nakivubo Park Yard market went up in flames. Thank God it happened at night, when most traders were away.
This tragic incident should serve as a wake up call. As a society, it seems we are not prepared to handle major disasters like fire outbreak, floods and road accidents.
The Nakivubo fire incident is one good example. While it was detected early, the fire got out of control because the people fighting it, both the Police and civilians, were unprepared.
The civilian fighters, who arrived first, lacked proper equipment and their efforts were uncoordinated, making a bad situation worse.
Although it is a busy public place, the market has no designated fire assembly point, no fire fighting equipment like extinguishers, sand buckets or water points.
The Police too were caught off guard. Although they are located a short distance from the market, the fire fighters were extremely slow in their response, a delay that proved costly.
When they finally turned up, Police’s efforts were frustrated by lack of access to the highly congested market. By the time they created a way through, it was too late.
As Kampala gets more and more congested, the Nakivubo market fire is a challenge to the relevant authorities to invest in fire fighting equipment and training of fire fighters, especially civilians. Fire drills in schools, workplaces and other public places should become a must.
This tragic incident should serve as a wake up call. As a society, it seems we are not prepared to handle major disasters like fire outbreak, floods and road accidents.
The Nakivubo fire incident is one good example. While it was detected early, the fire got out of control because the people fighting it, both the Police and civilians, were unprepared.
The civilian fighters, who arrived first, lacked proper equipment and their efforts were uncoordinated, making a bad situation worse.
Although it is a busy public place, the market has no designated fire assembly point, no fire fighting equipment like extinguishers, sand buckets or water points.
The Police too were caught off guard. Although they are located a short distance from the market, the fire fighters were extremely slow in their response, a delay that proved costly.
When they finally turned up, Police’s efforts were frustrated by lack of access to the highly congested market. By the time they created a way through, it was too late.
As Kampala gets more and more congested, the Nakivubo market fire is a challenge to the relevant authorities to invest in fire fighting equipment and training of fire fighters, especially civilians. Fire drills in schools, workplaces and other public places should become a must.